Portable directors chair

ABSTRACT

A portable director&#39;s chair, which includes: a folding frame, a seat area, and a backrest area. The folding frame includes support sections on both sides in corresponding or symmetrical positions, and diagonal bar sets that connect the two support sections on both sides. The diagonal bar set drives the support sections on both sides to perform the closing and folding actions. It features a clean design with a flexible backrest area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a type of foldable chair, and more particularly to a type of portable director's chair with an open back structure that is highly flexible.

Technical Background

Most of the director's chairs in the current market are produced by combining steel bars and seat fabric so that the steel bars form the foldable frame and the Oxford fabric forms the seat and backrest areas. This current design offers seat comfort and the foldable feature. The prior Chinese patent CN200820145303.2 discloses a type of director's chair. It is a structure that consists of a foldable frame and seat fabric. The inverted-U shaped vertical supporting bars on the left and right sides of the frame are joined together by two U-shaped connecting bars. The two ends of the two U-shaped connecting bars are mounted onto the two lower portions of the two supporting bars. When the middle sections are crossed and hinged, the upper portion is mounted onto the middle section of another supporting bar via a hinge. A reinforcement bar is connected to the area between the two ends of the connecting bar or the supporting bar. A backrest bar is connected to the upper portion on the back side of each of the two supporting bars. Between the two backrest bars is the seat fabric. The U-shaped connecting bar is formed by two overlapping and hinged horizontal L-shaped bars. The seat fabric is placed on the overlapping section of one of the horizontal L-shaped bars. The aforementioned director's chair features firm seat fabric with a large seat area, which provides the necessary support for the legs.

The subsequent Chinese patent CN201220187027.2 discloses a type of foldable director's chair, which includes: a folding frame and seat fabric. The said folding frame includes a support section on both sides in corresponding or symmetrical positions, and a diagonal bar set that connects the two support sections on both sides. The diagonal bar set drives the support sections on both sides to perform the closing and folding actions. The support section includes the front and rear support bars, the armrest bar, and the backrest bar that are affixed to the seat support bar. The seat support bar forms a rectangular-shaped closure with the front and rear support bars and the ground bar to become the main support body. In addition, the armrest bar and the backrest bar are hinged on the seat support bar to form the structure for linked movements. The seat fabric of the seat area is tightly fitted onto the two seat support bars, and the backrest area is tightly fitted onto the two backrest bars. Together they form a stable main body for seating.

In summary, the above has a director's chair frame. The support bar on both sides is a rigid body made up of multiple bars. Not only is the production process complicated, the folding frame is highly rigid, and there is also the flaw of poor seat comfort. The goal of this new utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary goal of this invention is to design a type of portable director's chair, of which the support sections on both sides are made up of a single bent bar.

The technical proposal of the invention is achieved in the following ways:

A type of portable director's chair, which includes: a folding frame, a seat area, and a backrest area.

The aforementioned folding frame includes support sections on both sides in corresponding or symmetrical positions, and diagonal bar sets that connect the two support sections on both sides. The diagonal bar sets drive the support sections on both sides to perform the closing and folding actions.

It has some or all of the following characteristics:

The support section comprises a bar bent into an open d-shaped structure, forming, from top to bottom, the backrest bar, the armrest bar, the front leg bar, and the ground bar.

The aforementioned diagonal bar set is comprised of the front diagonal and rear diagonal bar sets. A seat support bar is hinged to the top part of the front and rear diagonal bar sets. The lower portion of the front diagonal bar set is hinged to the front leg bar or the ground bar. The lower portion of the rear diagonal bar set is hinged to the ground bar. A linking piece is hinged to the crossed hinge of the aforementioned front diagonal bar set. The other end of that linking piece is hinged to the front leg bar to draw the support section.

The aforementioned seat area is formed by the seat fabric fitted on the two seat support bars.

The aforementioned backrest area is formed by the backrest fabric fitted on the two backrest bars.

The aforementioned front and rear diagonal bar sets are formed by two bent U-shaped bars. Each U-shaped bar is comprised of two bent leg sections and a bottom U section. The front-facing bent leg sections of the two U-shaped bars are crossed and hinged together to form the front diagonal bar set. The rear-facing bent leg sections are crossed and hinged together to form the rear diagonal bar set. The two bottom U sections directly form the two seat support bars or an independent seat support bar may be affixed to them.

The length of the aforementioned independent, fixed seat support bar at the bottom U section of the U-shaped bar is longer than that of the aforementioned bottom U section, or at least the front end of it protrudes, to form the front edge of the seat area.

The aforementioned U-shaped bar is formed by two L-shaped bars locked securely together. One of the L-shaped bars has a longer bottom leg. That longer bottom leg forms the seat support bar. It extends to the front and forms the front edge of the seat area.

The aforementioned seat support bar has a position locker in the front. That position locker is molded double-sided and has a curved track, a horizontal track, and a vertical track. During opening, the vertical track comes into contact with the front leg bar of the support section, creating a support structure for the rear part of the front leg bar.

A latch component which has a position-locking function is hinged between the two cross-hinged bent leg sections of aforementioned rear diagonal bar set.

The aforementioned latch component is a two-piece structure. The two pieces are hinged together on one end. One piece has a turned edge on the hinge end. That turned edge restrains the opening angle of the other piece.

Compared to existing director chairs, this invention has flexibility, a simpler structure, an easier production process, and a chic design. It simplifies the back-support design by cleverly using a bent bar to form an open d-shaped structure, organically creating backrest support and armrest support. When the human body leans backward, the bent backrest bars change shape slightly to provide flexibility. The seat area is tightened by independent diagonal bar sets, keeping the body in an upright and decorous manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the portable director's chair.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the folding frame of the portable director's chair.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side-view of the folding frame of the portable director's chair.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the folding frame of the portable director's chair in the folded position.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the position-lock.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the latch component in open position.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the latch component in folded position.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the folding frame 2 of the portable director's chair.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the folding frame 3 of the portable director's chair.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. Namely in the drawings, the following reference numbers refer to the following part:

-   1—seat area -   11—seat fabric -   2—backrest area -   21—backrest fabric -   3—support section -   31—seat support bar -   32—armrest bar -   33—front leg bar -   34—ground bar -   4—diagonal bar set -   41—bent leg section -   42—bottom U section -   43—L-shaped bar -   431—bottom leg -   5—seat support bar -   51—position-locker -   511—horizontal track -   512—vertical track -   6—linking piece -   7—latch component -   71—turn edge

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, a portable director's chair is shown. It includes seat area 1, backrest area 2, and a folding frame. The folding frame includes support sections 3 on both sides in corresponding or symmetrical positions, diagonal bar sets 4 that connect the two support sections on both sides. The diagonal bar sets 4 drive the support sections 3 on both sides to perform the closing and folding actions.

The support section 3 is comprised of a bar bent into an open d-shaped structure, forming, from top to bottom, the backrest bar 31, the armrest bar 32, the front leg bar 33, and the ground bar 34. More specifically, the end of the ground bar 34 should be close to projection of the top of the backrest bar 31. The support is more stable when the end of the ground bar 34 extends beyond the projection of the top of the backrest bar 31.

The diagonal bar set 4 comprises the front diagonal and rear diagonal bar sets. A seat support bar 5 is hinged to the top part of the front and rear diagonal bar sets. Leveraging the seat support bar 5, a connection is formed between the upper portion of the front and rear diagonal bar sets 4. The lower portion of the front diagonal bar set is hinged on the front leg bar 33 or the ground bar 34. The lower portion of the rear diagonal bar set is hinged on the ground bar 34. This structure creates the connection between the diagonal bar sets and the lower portion of the support sections 3 on both sides. A linking piece 6 is hinged to the crossed hinge of the front diagonal bar set. The other end of that linking piece 6 is hinged to the front leg bar 33 creating a connection between the upper portion of the diagonal bar sets and the support sections 3. When folding or opening, it draws the support section 3 and the diagonal bar sets into action simultaneously.

To be more specific, the front and rear diagonal bar sets 4 are formed by two bent U-shaped bars. Each U-shaped bar comprises two bent leg sections 41 and a bottom U section 42. The front-facing bent leg sections 41 of the two U-shaped bars are crossed and hinged together to form the front diagonal bar set. The rear-facing bent leg sections 41 are crossed and hinged together to form the rear diagonal bar set. The two bottom U sections 42 directly form the two seat support bars, which are used to tighten up the seat fabric 11, or as shown in FIG. 2, affix an independent seat support bar 5 at the bottom U section 42, so that the width of the seat fabric is not limited to the width of the bottom U section 42.

The aforementioned seat area 1 is formed by the seat fabric 11 fitted onto the two seat support bars 5 or the bottom U section 42. It is supported and tightened by the diagonal bar sets.

The aforementioned backrest area 2 is formed by the backrest fabric 21 fitted onto the two backrest bars 31. It is supported and tightened by the support section 3. In this present embodiment, the seat fabric 11 and the backrest fabric 12 are a one-piece design. Depending on design choice, a two-section design may also be used to create varied styles of combinations.

To prevent the seat area 1, which is supported by the diagonal bar sets 4, from becoming unstable when it receives weight, and also to strengthen the connection between the support sections on both sides, the following settings are added:

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the seat support bar 5 has a position locker 51 in the front. That position locker 51 is molded double-sided and has a curved track, a horizontal track 511, and a vertical track 512. During opening, the vertical track 512 comes into contact with the front leg bar 33 of the support section, creating a support structure for the rear part of the front leg bar 33. The horizontal track 511 corresponds to the seat support bar 5 and is securely affixed to the seat support bar. The vertical bar 512 corresponds to the front leg bar 33; it provides a three-sided support for the front leg bar 33, achieving the purpose of steadily restraining the support sections 3 on both sides when the chair is in a fully opened position and avoiding displacement with the seat support bars 5 when the human body is leaning back. But it can be disengaged during the folding process without affecting the folding operation.

Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, between the two cross-hinged bent legs 41 of aforementioned rear diagonal bar set is a latch component 7. That latch component 7 is a two-piece structure. The two pieces are hinged together on one end. One piece has a turned edge 71 on the hinge end. That turned edge 71 restrains the opening angle of the other piece. In other words, the turn edge 71 makes the folding of the latch component directional. It has to always fold in the set direction to avoid certain parallel positions that can obstruct the folding operation. The latch component 7 is hinged below the hinge of the bent leg sections 41, creating a position locking effect to the lower part of the two bent leg sections 41. The upper portion of the two bent leg sections 41 is restrained by the seat fabric, so that the center of gravity of the diagonal bar sets 4 will not waver while it is being used.

The change made to the diagonal bar sets 4 is that they are now formed by two bars that are bent into a U shape which is a much cleaner design. The bottom U section 42 is affixed securely to an independent seat support bar 5, offering more flexibility to the seat area 1 design. The length of the aforementioned fixed seat support bar 5 is longer than that of the bottom U section 42, or alternatively the front end of it protrudes to form the front edge of the seat area 1, providing ample leg support, as in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 8, The aforementioned U-shaped bar is formed by two L-shaped bars 43 locked securely together. One of the L-shaped bars has a longer bottom leg 431. That longer bottom leg 431 forms the seat support bar. It extends to the front and forms the front edge of the seat area 1. The aforementioned position locker 51 is securely hinged to the bottom leg 431.

Referring to FIG. 9, the front and rear diagonal bar sets may be formed by the aforementioned pair of cross-hinged U-shaped bars. They may also be formed as shown in FIG. 9 by using two sets of cross-hinged bars to create a director chair that allows multiple height adjustments.

In summary of the above, a goal of this new utility model is to provide a type of portable director chair of which the support sections on both sides are made up of a single bent bar. The back section is an open structure that provides flexibility for leaning backwards, and such flexibility is determined by the bent bars. The aforementioned bottom U section 42 and the seat support bar 5 is a flexible and versatile design. They may be understood as the same component, or the two may be replaced with each other or overlay onto each other depending on the actual design choice. 

I claim:
 1. A portable director's chair, which includes: a folding frame, a seat area, and a backrest area; The aforementioned folding frame includes support sections on both sides in corresponding or symmetrical positions, and diagonal bar sets that connect the two support sections on both sides; The diagonal bar sets drive the support sections on both sides to perform the closing and folding actions; The support section comprises a bar bent into an open d-shaped structure, forming, from top to bottom, the backrest bar, the armrest bar, the front leg bar, and the ground bar; The aforementioned diagonal bar set comprises the front diagonal and rear diagonal bar sets; A seat support bar is hinged to the top part of the front and rear diagonal bar sets; The lower portion of the front diagonal bar set is hinged to the front leg bar or the ground bar; The lower portion of the rear diagonal bar set is hinged to the ground bar; A linking piece is hinged to the crossed hinge of the aforementioned front diagonal bar set; The other end of that linking piece is hinged to the front leg bar to draw the support section; The aforementioned seat area is formed by the seat fabric fitted onto the two seat support bars; The aforementioned backrest area is formed by the backrest fabric fitted onto the two backrest bars.
 2. The portable director's chair of claim 1, further including: Front and rear diagonal bar sets are formed by two bent U-shaped bars; Each U-shaped bar is comprised of two bent leg sections and a bottom U section; The front-facing bent leg sections of the two U-shaped bars are crossed and hinged together to form the front diagonal bar set; The rear-facing bent leg sections are crossed and hinged together to form the rear diagonal bar set; The two bottom U sections directly form the two seat support bars, or an independent seat support bar may be affixed to them.
 3. The portable director's chair of claim 2, further including: the fixed seat support bar at the bottom U section of the U-shaped bar is longer than that of the aforementioned bottom U section, or at least the front end of it protrudes, to form the front edge of the seat area.
 4. The portable director's chair of claim 2, further including: U-shaped bar is formed by two L-shaped bars locked securely together; One of the L-shaped bars has a longer bottom leg; That longer bottom leg forms the seat support bar; It extends to the front and forms the front edge of the seat area.
 5. The portable director's chair of claim 3, further including: the seat support bar has a position locker in the front; That position locker is molded double-sided and has a curved track, a horizontal track, and a vertical track; During opening, the vertical track comes into contact with the front leg bar of the support section, creating a support structure for the rear part of the front leg bar.
 6. The portable director's chair of claim 2, further including: a latch component which has a position locking function is hinged between the two cross-hinged bent leg sections of aforementioned rear diagonal bar set.
 7. The portable director's chair of claim 6, further including: the latch component is a two-piece structure; The two pieces are hinged together on one end; One piece has a turned edge on the hinge end for restraining the opening angle of the other piece. 